Access

Trips and falls in the home

Most falls happen within the home, and there are plenty of measures you can take to keep safe. There are some simple checks you can do yourself. Other issues will require advice from your GP or other medical professional.

Some things you can do to prevent falls at home are:

getting someone to help you to do things that you’re unable to do safely on your own
using non-slip mats and rugs
removing clutter, spillages, trailing wires and frayed carpet
organising your home so that climbing, stretching, and bending is less necessary
using high-wattage light bulbs in lamps and torches so a clear path can be seen
wearing well-fitting shoes that support the ankles
to avoid walking on potentially slippery floors in tights or socks
to avoid wearing loose-fitting, trailing clothes
taking care of your feet by trimming toenails regularly or seeing a specialist foot practitioner
getting your eyes regularly tested

Sometimes, trips and falls happen outside the home due to hazards such as:

Uneven paths and driveways
Steps to the front door
Slope to your front door
Thresholds between doors

Whatever the reason, there is support and options to help reduce the risk of trips and falls inside and around the home. This might include aids to help people stay safe, minor adaptations to remove hazards, or improving accessibility around the home.

Read more about the support and options available below.

Download Get up and go - a guide to staying steady for further information and advice about the steps you can take to help prevent falls and stay safe at home.

Strength and Balance

All healthcare professionals take the risks of falls seriously because of the significant impact they can have on your health. Your GP can carry out some simple balance tests to check if you are at risk of falling. GPs can also refer you to local services who can help you to reduce your risk of falling such as the Strength and Balance exercise programme with One You Lincolnshire.

Wellbeing Lincs

Sometimes, small adjustments to the home are all that is needed to support continued independent living; for example, grab rails in the bathroom, a ramp at the door, or gadgets to help in the kitchen.

Wellbeing Lincs provides small aids and can make the necessary adaptations where required. With dedicated staff to deliver and install equipment, customers can be assessed for suitable small aids, which are available to purchase through the service or independently.

Find out more about Wellbeing Lincs at: Wellbeing Lincs

Lincolnshire Community Equipment Service (LCES)

The Lincolnshire Community Equipment Service (LCES) can provide equipment for you to use in your own home, to help you remain as independent as possible.

Equipment can be provided for people of all ages including children with disabilities.

The equipment that LCES provide can be simple equipment such as walking frames and crutches to aid mobility. LCES can also provide more complex equipment such as beds, mobile hoists, and pressure care equipment.

To speak with someone about your equipment needs, call the Lincolnshire County Council Customer Service Centre on 01522 782155.

You may be required to pay for equipment from LCES; this will depend on your individual needs and situation.

More information is available on the Lincolnshire County Council Adult Care webpages regarding Adult Care assessment and eligibility.

Buying equipment yourself

If you do not meet the eligibility criteria or if you simply wish to buy equipment without having an assessment, you can do this directly yourself. Equipment is also available in various shops (including mobility stores and some pharmacies).

LCES has a website called Safe + Well where you can find more information about ordering and trialling equipment.

Complete Care Shop (Healthcare Pro)

Equipment is available that can help you to remain independent in your home.

These aids can help with food preparation, dressing, using the television or telephone, bathing, getting in and out of bed, and moving around your home.

To search a catalogue of what is available go to the Complete Care Shop website.

Equipment and adaptations

There is also support available to help you choose the right equipment or adaptation to suit your needs.

Check out the Connect to Support Equipment and adaptations pages for more information about the services and support that can assist people with their mobility at home.

You could get a grant from your council if you are disabled and need to make changes to your home. For example if you:

are physically disabled
have a learning disability
have age-related needs
are autistic
have a cognitive impairment, like dementia
have a progressive condition, like motor neurone disease
have a terminal illness
have a mental health condition

You might need to:

widen doors and install ramps or grab rails
improve access to rooms and facilities, for example with a stairlift, or level access shower
improve access to your garden
build an extension, for example a downstairs bedroom
provide a heating system suitable for your needs
adapt heating or lighting controls to make them easier to use

Check out the Good Home Lincs Grants pages for more information about Disabled Facilities Grants and how to contact your local council.

Discretionary Housing Financial Assistance

Discretionary Housing Financial Assistance (DHFA) may be given to help people live safely and independently in their homes where their needs cannot be met through a mandatory grant.

Councils are under no obligation to award Discretionary Housing Financial Assistance, however, subject to the availability of funding, Local Housing Authorities may award assistance on a case-by-case basis.

Assistance may include:

helping an applicant to move to a suitable home (relocation)
topping up mandatory
helping reduce delayed transfers of care (DTOC), e.g. priority works needed to facilitate hospital discharge
helping people stay safe, warm and well
provide aids and adaptations for people with specific conditions e.g. dementia, learning disabilities, neurodiversity and sensory impairments
assisting with an applicant's contribution to a mandatory grant

Applications for assistance can be made by both owner-occupiers and tenants.

Depending on financial circumstances, applicants may need to make a contribution towards the cost of the required works. This includes applications relating to disabled facilities for children.

Check out the Good Home Lincs Grants pages for more information about Discretionary Housing Financial Assistance and how to contact your local council.

If you live in a house that is difficult to adapt, has a lot of levels or stairs, or is getting too big to maintain, it might be time to start thinking about moving home.

Moving home is a big decision with many considerations, especially if you are considering moving because you are finding your current home difficult to manage, but there is help and support available to help you make the right decision for you.

Planning ahead and knowing what options might be right for you in the future is always better than needing to make decisions under pressure.

Check out the Good Home Lincs pages on Moving Home for more information about what to consider when thinking about moving home.

A handyperson is usually a charged-for service and the cost will vary dependent on the work being undertaken.

Handyperson services differ from place to place, but these are the sorts of jobs they can usually help with:

Small repairs - putting up curtain rails, shelves and pictures
Safety measures - fitting smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors and grab rails
Home security - door and window locks, door chains and door viewers
Energy efficiency checks - installing draught excluders, radiator heat reflectors and energy efficient lightbulbs

Age UK Lincoln and South Lincolnshire – Handyperson services

Age UK Lincoln and South Lincolnshire’s Handyperson Services can provide support with maintaining your home.

Visit the Age UK website for more information about Handyperson services.

Check out the Good Home Lincs pages on Trusted Tradespeople for more information about finding tradespeople to carry out work.